"So I resolved to change my life, because Jesus had given me clear lights to the effect that I should be religious. I had a good occasion to do this, for we were about to begin the year of 1896. I wrote in a little notebook: "During this new year I resolve to begin a new life. I do not know what will happen to me during this year. But I abandon myself entirely to you, my God. And my aspirations and all my affections will be for You. I feel so weak, dear Jesus, but with Your help I hope and resolve to live a different life, that is, a life closer to You."
--ST GEMMA GALGANI
TODAY'S READINGS
January 1, 2022
SOLEMNITY OF MARY,
MOTHER OF GOD
Lectionary: 18
The LORD said to Moses:
“Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and
give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites,
and I will bless them.”
Responsorial Psalm
R/ (2a) May God bless us in his
mercy.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R/ May God bless us in his mercy.
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R/ May God bless us in his mercy.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R/ May God bless us in his mercy.
Reading 2 GAL 4:4-7
Brothers and sisters:
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son,
born of a woman, born under the law,
to ransom those under the law,
so that we might receive adoption as sons.
As proof that you are sons,
God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
crying out, “Abba, Father!”
So you are no longer a slave but a son,
and if a son then also an heir, through God.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In the past God
spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days,
he has spoken to us through the Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.
When eight days were completed for his circumcision,
he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb.
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Today is a very special opportunity to consecrate the new year to the Mother of Christ. This opens us to her protection and help. She will join us in asking God to make this a year of many blessings.
In the first reading, God teaches Moses how to pass blessings onto others. Today's responsorial psalm includes a request for God to bless us. The second reading describes the greatest blessing we've received: our adoption by God the Father, who has made available to us every blessing under the heavens and in heaven.
The people who heard the testimony of the shepherds in the Gospel reading were amazed. How often are you amazed by the Lord? Awe comes from recognizing the presence of Jesus in everything we see, do, hear, etc. With Jesus, we're even blessed in situations that feel like curses, because he is guiding us through it.
To experience this, we have to keep our eyes on Jesus at all times. Look past the problems: There is the victorious Jesus already working on your behalf! He was born for your sake and gave up his life for you; of course he is also doing everything else that will provide God's goodness to you!
Look past your emotional reactions to hardships: There is the peace of Christ! It's available when you decide to trust in the love and the wisdom of Christ.
Look past the person who is sinning against you: There is Jesus comforting you! He is trying to kiss your wounds and heal your heart. He speaks to you through scripture, through Holy Mass, through perhaps a counselor, and many other ways. This is available when you choose to forgive.
In every situation, keep your eyes on Jesus so that you can see his hand reaching toward you, offering to bless you.
We can learn from Mary how to look past the obvious and see God's hidden blessings. When Mary looked at the shepherds, did she see scruffy, stinky, unkempt strangers barging in? Of course not. She saw numerous blessings.
Look at the scruffy people in your own life -- through Mary's eyes. How many blessings do you see?
Mary the Mother of God our Savior is also our Mother now. She knows you and wants to show you the countless blessings that come from knowing her Son: blessings that await you as you follow Jesus, and blessings you already have because Jesus is at your side right now. Ask for Mary's help in keeping your focus on Jesus throughout the new year.
Today's Prayer
Praised be to You, my Lord, because You gave us Mary as a model of humility and the contemplation of Your wonders so that we gain humble hearts. Amen.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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The mother of Jesus promised St. Dominic that, “one day through the rosary & the scapular I shall save the world!”
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